Motivational Blog

The golden age of work is gone. Modern life has us working long hours, contributing large amounts to shrinking health benefits, taking fewer and shorter vacations --and all without job security. Stress? We have it. If you've been reading about the effects of stress, then you know it's a contributing factor to being out of shape, high blood pressure and dozens of other maladies.

Don't you think it's time to look-out for number one? If you allow yourself to become unhealthy under the pressure of work - then you're not going to be any good to yourself, your employers, friends or family. There's an old saying, "the in-box is always full." Nothing could be more true. It's time to slow down, take a deep breath and then uncompromisingly schedule time for yourself into your day.

How My Mother Worked Herself Into The Ground

I want to share my mother's "story" with you. I'll keep it brief. You know those 80's women... the well dressed ones you would see emerging from cars, busses and subways wearing sneakers. That was my mom, a 12-hour a day, 60+ hours per week money-producing powerhouse. She was fast, efficient, performing the work of 2 ordinary humans and planning office parties, buying me cool stuff and pre-cooking the whole week's meals on a Sunday afternoon.

My mom smoked to deal with the stress - and exercise was not in her vocabulary. She also enjoyed gourmet food. Then one year in her late 50's, her dedication to her job lead to exhaustion and pneumonia. I watched my mother age 10 years overnight. While she did make a brief recovery, within 6-8 months time, she came down with pneumonia again -and that's when she was "retired." Put out to pasture. The psychological impact of a forced early retirement only added to my mother's physical issues. She spent the last 10 years of her life not feeling well -and dealing with a myriad of health issues before she finally passed away.

Getting It Into Perspective

I'm sorry if I've completely depressed you now - - but I had to do it because there's something for all of us to learn from my mother's story.

1. Don't make yourself indispensable at work - because no one really is.
2. Uncompromisingly schedule health & exercise time for yourself into your day.
3. Finish one task at a time -and don't be afraid to leave tasks for the next day.

What I'm advising is that you do your work; do all that can be done within a managed period of time. It's a given that many people will have to work more than the mythical 40 hour week. However, your health should always be your first priority - because it's the foundation for everything else in this life.

Today's News is reporting how keeping a food diary can produce twice the results of weight loss when on a diet. Of course it works (during a study). And again - we didn't need a study to tell us what we already know: that under controlled circumstances where participants have to report back to medical professionals, they're more motivated to keep the diary -and stick with a diet.

I kept at least 5 food diaries during my former dieting life. Then one sunny day, I threw out my food diary, along with diets and my scale (okay, I kept the scale - I just don't weigh myself daily or even weekly). My personal problem with food diaries is the question of longevity: how long can anyone (using myself as a gauge) keep a food diary? I think the longest I was able to keep a food diary was about 6 weeks. After that, I was completely bored with writing down the details of every meal I ate - and it started to feel "abnormal."

The bottom line is, when we start to feel "abnormal" about something - it loses its effectiveness because most people want to feel "normal." We want to eat whatever we want without consequences and certainly without having to write it down. Just like normal people, right? Let's get some facts straight about the "normal" people: even those individuals who have super-fast metabolisms and can seemingly eat whatever they want without gaining weight (God Bless Them), will more than likely, eventually have consequences from the foods they eat. It's just unfortunate that some of us put on pounds faster than others, so keep in mind - looks are deceiving. Don't compare yourself to others - just deal with your own circumstances.

What I have found that works - is keeping a Health & Fitness journal where you record both broad and small goals, overall plans to reach the smaller goals - and then a notation of results. One caveat: when you're choosing your fitness activities - chose the ones that you find are fun! Otherwise, you'll get bored. In my Motivational ABC's Blog, I outline how setting doable / realistic goals is the best motivator to continue on the good path to long-term Health & Fitness.

The year is officially more than half over, but that doesn't mean it's too late to make two easy 2008 Health & Fitness Resolutions!

1. Take The Stairs
2. Treat Soda Beverages Like Desserts

1. Take The Stairs: Always be on the lookout to take the stairs instead of elevators or escalators (sorry, walking while an escalator is moving doesn't count - that's too easy). If you're really out of shape and find going up a flight of stairs is too difficult, then make your resolution to start with taking the stairs down.

2. Treat Soda Beverage Like Desserts: It doesn't matter if you're drinking diet or regular soda, you'll find that you appreciate them much more if you only have them once in a while -rather than every day. We suggest replacing soda with water and if you need a little flavor in it - try a fresh slice of lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit. In addition, you'll also find yourself saving a lot of money.

I know in the last blog I mentioned our impending outing to Huntington Beach… well that never happened. Like all best laid plans that one fell apart almost as quickly as it was made. The guy who had the place, ended up working all night and the rest of us ended up turning a “just one beer for the road” into a 4am bender… Hey it happens, especially when you’re with friends.

We did however get out over the 4th of July weekend -and it was awesome. Weston, Richard and I met at El Porto, our usual surfing spot, on Sunday morning and hit the water. The waves weren’t bad and we caught a few good rides. Richard, the best surfer of our group, usually likes the waves bigger, but for Weston and I, they were just right. Weston and I have surfed together for years and know each other’s style pretty well. We routinely catch the same wave and always surf with the unspoken rule, “If you can catch it… get it”.

There’s nothing like surfing down the line, looking back and seeing a buddy on the same wave. You grin like dogs, shout commands, and try to figure out how to do something cool with it, only to end up waste high in the wash before you know it. We have managed to patent one move though; it’s called the “Tackle Your Buddy Off The Wave on a Slow Day” move. This move is usually met with awe by those around us who are sure we’re going to come up swinging. But when we resurface from the wash laughing our asses off, most just shake their heads with a grin as if to say “Kooks”. But hey, we’re the Wood Crew.. what do you expect..

So, other than that, it was another successful outing. No one’s equipment got broke, of which I’m usually the cause, maybe that’s why they call me “The Bruiser”, and we got our fix for another day. And the more I think about it, “fix” is the operative word. Because the more you surf, the more you want to do it, till as you know, it takes over people’s lives. But for those of us who can fight off the urge to sell everything and move to Costa Rica, a quick fix is all you need.

Health & Fitness Motivation

Chapter Four: Time To Work Your Plan

Have you heard the expression, "plan your work and then work your plan?" If you have, then you know it's time to put your plan into action. This is the part where you just have to do it - it's all up to you. But we do have a helpful hint, especially about methods for sticking with your plan.

Activity Variation: Your Key To Long-Term Health & Fitness Success

A lot of people talk about workout variation specifically in relationship to strength training. Our definition of workout variation in broader and that's why we call it, "activity variation." Further, we believe that people should engage only in those activities that they find personally enjoyable. We know that if you don't both enjoy your workouts and view them more as activities, then you won't stick with them. For example, you might enjoy tennis, while another person hates it.

If you don't know what activities you find personally enjoyable or if you're looking for new activities -keep in mind that workouts don't end with cardio machines, free weights, running or jogging. There are too many to list here but - there's also swimming, hiking, horseback riding, tennis, racquetball, golf and more. Your job is to explore activities that interest you. Consider taking a few introductory lessons - and eventually you might find activities you truly love. For me, one of those activities is hiking.

Remember, check with your physician before engaging in any diet, health or fitness activities.

Next Chapter: Adding challenge and Spice to your Workouts

Copyright © 2008 FitMotive.com All Rights Reserved.

Shortly after graduating from high school, I started practicing meditation and creative visualization. In fact, my love of these activities lead me to study psychology in college and become somewhat of a "meditation & motivational book" junkie.

There's no doubt about it, when I consistently mediate - using methods of creative visualization, prayer by concentrating on a positive outcomes -or just spend time alone concentrating on things that evoke feelings of happiness, my life goes better and/or I'm more capable of dealing with the "curve balls of life."

In the news, US News & Work Report is reporting that researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital's Benson-Henry Institute are finding that stress genes are reversed by relaxation techniques, thereby proving that the mind and body are integrally connected.

For all of us who have been practicing yoga, mediation, positive thinking and deep prayer, these findings are bittersweet - because there's nothing new being reported here. Many religions and cultures, have been claiming the benefits of practicing these techniques for thousands of years. Yet, the net effect of scientific research can only benefit all us by further opening the door to alternative treatment methods, so that they can be combined with Western medicine.

New to meditation, then try Meditation For Dummies (Book and CD edition)

Health & Fitness Motivation

Chapter Three: Planning Your Action.

Now that you’ve taken the time to think about the reasons to be healthy & Fit and constructed a realistic vision of who you want to be, it’s time to start planning what actions you’re going to take to make your decision and vision, a reality. The information is out there – you can be sure that others have done it before - and so can you. Even if you’ve fallen shot of your goals in the past, don’t worry. Take a deep breath and get back in the game – don’t give up.

If you have consistently fallen short of your vision or goals, you may need to adjust them down so that you can reach smaller goals - with smaller actions. Then in turn, use those wins as continued building blocks to achieve more and get closer to your ultimate long-term vision.

Homework: Start with a vision or goal that you can reasonably achieve in 2-weeks and then write down your plan. It can be as simple as cutting half of your meals in half or adding additional walks to your work out regime. With gas prices skyrocketing, this is a great idea that will save you money on gas and at the same time bring you the health benefits of increased exercise.

Next Chapter: Working Your Plan.

Copyright © 2008 FitMotive.com All Rights Reserved.

I surf with a rag tag group of guys: sure, there are much better surfers out there -you've probably heard their names -and then, there's us.

Unlike the guys you've heard of, we pretty much only surf on weekends, when all the rest of the working stiffs are out too. So we pretty much always surf in the same spot (mostly due to the availability of parking). Our crew met because a few of us lived in the same building in Hollywood, thus the name “The Wood Crew.” Get it? When we first started out, all of our equipment was crap and our skills were mediocre, but our attitude was great. Back then, when we hit the beach, we looked like dogs off a leash - just happy to be out.

The conditions never mattered to us (and maybe they still don't) -heck, we surfed in water that should have been issued a "small craft advisory" and the scum we paddled though, well prudence (can't say we have it when it comes to surfing) would have dictated wearing bio-suits. Most of our equipment had the unstated label of “community property.” I had a new wet suit that was returned a year after I loaned it to a buddy, only to have it snatched up by another buddy. I don't know where it is, but I heard it's in Mexico -with my friend? Anyway, that’s okay, I was surfing on a borrowed long board last year and ended up snapping it in September… I still don’t know who's board it was.

We've all come a long way from those old times and our skills are much better now. Most of the guys have upgraded to epoxy boards with spares in the quiver. I’m old school though, so I'm sticking to my original board, a nine-foot “Bear” surfboard that’s as yellow as a banana and has so many patches that it looks like that baseball Bugs Bunny through around the world. I love my board, it’s still the sweetest ride around and has taught a lot of people to ride. In fact, it’s been nicknamed “The Couch” because a family of four can sit comfortably on it. Oh, and it's as heavy as a refrigerator, but it’s mine… “There are many like it, but this one is mine….“

So, surfs up and the summer is here… we’re going to Huntington Beach this weekend because a buddie's work put him up in an apartment there for the summer, just blocks from the beach... Hmmm, you don’t say… I’m sure we’ll destroy it, but I’ll give you the full report when we get back. To read more about the Wood Crew - click Brian on Surfing on the left menu!

BBC America's "You Are What You Eat" is an excellent motivational tool for anyone interested in health and fitness. The shows host, Gillian McKeith, is a holistic nutritionist who follows a fairly standard formula for re-teaching people how to eat.

I don't want to give away too much about the show -but the formula works, "for those people that work the formula." The first segment features a subject's unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits. Then enter Gillian McKeith, who does some brow beating, refrigerator cleaning and clinical evaluating, which is then followed by a tailored program of healthy eating and exercise. Almost all the subjects are reluctant at first. However, when they see initial results, they stick with the formula. If you're paying attention - that's the secret is to all effective health & fitness programs: seeing initial and tangible results, which then feed the motivational fire to continue.

For show times visit the BBC America Website

As a kid, I watched my grandmother physically deteriorate, until she finally gave up. In spite of her illness my grandmother was responsible for introducing me to health and fitness. She advised me to avoid sugar, not smoke and get some exercise. I think this is good advice for anyone - and as I read today's headlines about diabetes being on the rise, I am reminded of her advice and her struggle with diabetes.

The CDC is reporting 24 million cases with almost 60 million more in the "pre-diabetic" phase. What we're talking about is the potential for 25% of the population to eventually be diabetic. Of course, many news sources are also reporting on the correlation between the obesity epidemic in America and diabetes.

Are you motivated yet? I know I am, especially since diabetes runs in my family; not only did my grandmother have diabetes, her mother (my paternal great-grandmother) also had it. What's even more odd about my grandmother's case, is that her disease didn't onset until she was 50!

My family history of diabetes has been a motivator for me. There have been times when it stopped me from having a second helping of birthday cake or another handful of candy. I hope today's CDC's headlines prove to be just as effective a motivator for health and fitness as my family history.

June 25,2008 Mike Ferrantino